Chapter 259: Chapter 259: Threats
This remark indeed intimidated the Gu Family father and son, except Kai Yuan.
Seeing that the Gu Family was silent, Xu Shuanghong was somewhat pleased, "Bai Jiang, what do you think I should do now? Should I go to the authorities to plead my case, or should we settle this today?"
Gu Baijiang lifted his head, his face gentle, "Shuanghong, you know my feelings. We had it all planned out before, but the conditions really are too simple. You’ve already felt wronged being with me, the ceremony must be proper..."
"I don’t mind, aren’t your family members here too?
They should have brought the family genealogy, we just need to bring some things over, it’s no more than a bit of ink work."
The Gu Family didn’t expect Xu Shuanghong to think even of this, and for a moment didn’t know how to react.
"You know my relationship with my clan is a bit strained, I’ll discuss this once things smooth over a bit." Gu Baijiang glanced at Kai Yuan, hoping the sharp-tongued one would help him out.
Kai Yuan initially wanted to ignore, but seeing Bai Suihe, he instantly changed his mind.
"Enter the family record?" Kai Yuan seemed to have heard the world’s biggest joke, "Didn’t my father tell you, even my sister-in-law and nephew aren’t in the genealogy, why would they make special arrangements for you?"
Xu Shuangfeng looked shocked, staring at Gu Baijiang as if he were a fool, didn’t even the legitimate grandsons get into the family record, is this sane?
Gu Baijiang felt somewhat uncomfortable under this gaze, but at least it helped him out, so he braced himself and said, "I’ve been too busy these past years, haven’t had time to go back to the clan, so it got delayed."
No one present believed this excuse; no matter how busy, how could one not have time to write a letter?
How muddled must Gu Baijiang be; as an official, shouldn’t he cherish his reputation, why would he leave such a flaw for others to grasp?
If his political enemies caught this, his path to advancement would be blocked.
These years, he hadn’t suffered because of this, truly lucky.
Xu Shuanghong knew this route was blocked, her heart filled with anger and resentment, yet she couldn’t say anything. Finding the Gu Family members now would yield no help and might even cost her whatever face she has left.
"This matter cannot just pass like this, you owe me an explanation, or how will I stand in the future?"
A woman of her age has her own charm, coupled with her past relationship with Gu Baijiang, she knows how to handle this man; being weak won’t work, he’d just think you’re easy to bully.
Anyway, she’s done what she needed to, now she’s throwing caution to the wind.
In front of the Gu Family’s sons and daughters-in-law, Xu Shuanghong pressed close to Gu Baijiang, "Baijiang, you promised you’d treat me well, and now we have such a good opportunity, why keep me at arm’s length?"
Gu Baijiang had never been this intimate with Xu Huizhen in front of the children and grandchildren, his face was particularly uncomfortable, "Be more considerate, the kids are watching."
"What’s the big deal, I’m already yours. So, tell me, can we settle this matter today?"
"This..."
"Is writing a marriage document that hard for you?" Xu Shuanghong pressed him, step by step, "Everyone knows about our business now. Isn’t it better to be open about it than hiding?"
"But the kids..."
"You’re their father; can they overrule you?"
"You’re the head of the family..."
If this woman really goes for it, she truly doesn’t care.
Gu Baijiang was suddenly on the back foot, seeking help from his three sons. The eldest looked cold, the second one indifferent, and the third one was watching the spectacle, none wanted to help him.
"Shameless," at least there was the second son’s wife, who put her hands on her hips then cursed Xu Shuanghong, "In broad daylight, look at your actions, so frivolous, how could you match my father-in-law?
My father-in-law is to return to the court; even if he remarries, it should be to the daughter of a great family. Do you not know your place?
With your ways, what great family’s lady would want to associate with you?
In short, it won’t do. Either you become a concubine like your daughter, serving my father-in-law, or pretend this morning never happened."
Gu Baijiang found this quite pleasing to the ear, as his eldest son also mentioned the same before, and he was weighing it in his mind.
With the cards in his hand, returning to the capital was only a matter of time. Even if one couldn’t rejoin the court, with his wealth, marrying a good family’s daughter was still possible. If he let Xu Shuanghong take the wife’s position now, in the future, not only would it be laughable, but he also wouldn’t accept it.
"Father," Kai Yuan enjoyed the spectacle but didn’t want to wait for their endless quarrel, "I think what the second sister-in-law said makes sense. This Ms. Xu, do we really know much about their background?
Even if they were your old acquaintance, you lost contact for years. How much has changed, what have they done, you know none of that.
We’re already in a difficult position, taking on such unknown people is a big risk, it’s already kind enough of you. But to merge into a family with them without clarity, Father, even if you agree, we brothers won’t."
Gu Baijiang was relieved Kai Yuan finally spoke up; having his help meant he wouldn’t suffer a loss today.
He didn’t know why this thought came to him, but internally, that was the message.
"I understand your concerns, Ms. Xu. Why don’t we wait until we reach Lingnan, and then we can visit the authorities together and discuss further if everything’s in order.
Rest assured, since you’re already with me, I will definitely not mistreat you."
Xu Shuangfeng, "... I really misjudged you. Would you really let your sons and daughters-in-law slander me like this?
Don’t you know my origins? Even though I married over the past decade, I haven’t done anything immoral. We mother and daughter are from an upright family..."
"Ms. Xu," Bai Suihe, seeing Xu Shuanghong glaring hatefully at Kai Yuan several times, knew that a feud had already formed. This Gu Family truly had issues, once again dragging them in, "There’s no need to glare at us like that; it makes us nervous."
"Don’t talk nonsense, I wasn’t..."
"Let’s not argue now," Bai Suihe gestures openly, "After all, a look doesn’t kill. Otherwise, we’d have too many executioners.
We never said you were not from an upright family; we just wanted everyone to feel more at ease going forward, easing any concerns. It’s just a matter of time, why be so impatient, Ms. Xu?"
